If you’re the kind of reader who can’t not see the missing “of,” and you care about fairness as much as clean copy, this is that kind of desk. You’ll edit investigations and breaking news, keep stories tight and consistent in AP style, help publish to the site, and occasionally step into standards coverage.
About ProPublica
ProPublica is an independent, nonprofit newsroom producing investigative journalism in the public interest.
Schedule
- Full-time
- Location: New York City or Remote (U.S.)
- On-call nights/weekends as part of a rotation
- Applications reviewed starting Jan. 5, 2026
- Posting open until at least Jan. 7 at noon ET
- Salary range: $85,000–$100,000 (final varies by experience/location)
What You’ll Do
- Copy edit investigations, breaking news, newsletters, graphics/video copy, and columns
- Manage copy flow on the desk and publish stories online
- Convert partner copy into AP style when needed
- Help draft corrections, clarifications, and story updates
- Fact-match text against supporting elements (graphics, video, social)
- Occasionally fill in for the assistant managing editor for standards
- Travel as needed for team meetings/trainings
What You Need
- 3+ years copy editing experience at a news organization
- Strong AP style command
- Excellent news judgment and fairness instincts
- Experience polishing investigations and long-form narratives
- Meticulous attention to detail and consistency across platforms
- Comfort working on complex, sensitive topics
- Tools: Google Docs + a CMS (WordPress-style) + an org tool (Trello-style)
- Strong communication and diplomacy
- Deadline-driven time management and multi-project prioritization
- Eligible to work in the U.S. (no sponsorship required)
Benefits
- Included (details not listed in the posting)
Application Notes
- They want three editing samples. Ideally: original filed copy, track-changes edits, and clean published version. If you can’t provide earlier versions, link the final story and clearly explain what you changed.
- They also ask: “Why do you want to be a Copy Editor at ProPublica?” (max 300 words). Don’t write a biography. Write a mission-and-craft answer.
Quick gut-check (backbone moment)
This is not a “fix typos and vibe” job. They’re hiring for standards, fairness, and investigative precision under deadline pressure. If your strongest proof is “I’m a good writer,” you’ll get cooked. You need receipts: published edits, tough stories, and examples of judgment calls.
Happy Hunting,
~Two Chicks…